Principal's Message

My name is Adolfo Herrera, and I am honored to serve as the new principal of Handy Elementary School. It is a privilege to join this exceptional school community, and I am excited to begin partnering with our students, families, staff, and community as we prepare for a successful school year. As we embark on this new journey together, I would like to share a little about my background, my educational philosophy, and my commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. 

This year marks my 30th year in education, a milestone that I am deeply grateful to celebrate. I am a lifelong Southern Californian, having been raised, educated, and employed as both an educator and educational leader throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and my master's degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles, including bilingual Spanish teacher, reading coach, district coordinator, principal in both Lynwood and Santa Ana, and most recently, Administrator of Expanded Learning Opportunities for Orange Unified School District. Supporting students, families, and educators has been the greatest privilege of my professional life, and I am excited to continue that work as part of the Handy Elementary community.

My educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that every child deserves a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment where they feel valued, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Achieving that vision requires strong partnerships, open communication, and a shared commitment to student success. I look forward to listening, learning, and working collaboratively with our students, staff, families, and community as we begin this new chapter together.

I firmly believe that the strength of a school lies in the relationships we build. By working together, we can create a nurturing environment that supports every child's academic, social, and emotional growth. Together, we will prepare our students not only for academic success but also to become compassionate, responsible, and confident citizens.

Our mission at Handy Elementary is to provide each child with the resources and guidance necessary to thrive, discover their passions, and confidently succeed. I look forward to a fantastic year of collaboration as we work alongside one another to help all our scholars reach their full potential.

Thank you for welcoming me into the Handy Elementary family. I look forward to meeting each of you and working together to make this an exceptional year for our students.